During the Great Recession, housing prices took it on the chin, but real estate is performing much better early in the COVID-19 crisis. The Wall Street Journal reports that home prices are rising. Even though purchases fell by close to 10 percent in March compared to the same month last year, home listings contracted even faster. Realtor Ame Grail says the Sturgeon Bay market is tighter than the rest of the country.

Also helping support prices are historically low-interest rates. That is driving refinancing activity as well as new purchases for eligible buyers.